COLUMBUS – The State Senate introduced their substitute budget bill today, and parents and Christian schools are among the big winners.

The bill significantly expands the state’s “EdChoice” scholarship program, which empowers parents to send their child to the school that best meets their needs.

“Senate President Larry Obhof is leading the way to provide Ohio students more opportunities to succeed,” said Aaron Baer, President of Citizens for Community Values. “The proposed budget the Senate introduced today ensures Ohio’s public schools can thrive, while opening up doors of opportunities for families to find the best school that meets their needs.”

The proposed Senate budget will:

• Grow the EdChoice Expansion Scholarship to include K-12 students.

• Increase the Cleveland Scholarship.

• Year round application window and language that would fundamentally remove waitlists from EdChoice.

Citizens for Community Values leads the Ohio Christian Education Network (OCEN), a network of 27 Christian schools across Ohio providing high quality education to Ohio families. The Senate budget bill will help these schools provide children from across the state with a high-quality education, regardless of the child’s zip code or family income. 

“No child should be stuck in a school that’s not meeting their needs. Senate President Larry Obhof, Majority Leader Matt Huffman, Finance Committee Chairman Matt Dolan, and Senator Lou Terhar are helping families succeed and access a broad array of educational options by putting this budget bill forward,” said Baer. 

For more information, contact Citizens for Community Values at info@ccv.org, or 513.733.5775. 

As Ohio’s Family Policy Council, Citizens for Community Values seeks the good of our neighbors throughout Ohio by advocating for public policy that reflects the truth of the Gospel. We endeavor to create an Ohio where God’s blessings of life, family, and religious freedom are treasured, respected, and protected.

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